Yreka High basketball player Travis Robison is heading close to home to play college hoops.

Robison recently earned a scholarship and signed a letter of intent with Simpson College in Redding, which is a little more than an hour away from his family in Yreka. The Red Hawks are a four-year NAIA school which finished last season 8-21 overall.

"It's extremely rewarding," Robison said. "It feels like all my years of work have paid off." He added that he has loved the sport since he was little and is proud to be able to continue playing hoops on the next level.

His father, Todd, has played basketball for a number of years, including as a member of Police Olympics teams. Todd Robison recently retired after 28 years of working as a corrections officer in San Louis Obispo. His father recalled taking young Travis to pick-up games and practices as his son showed an interest and the skill set to be a good hoops player. "We're really excited and proud of him," he said.

Travis Robison said that "growing up it felt right to play basketball. I've always loved it." Travis moved to Yreka last year from Paso Robles near San Luis Obispo, and became a starting forward in his only year with the Miners. Robison was known for his strong defensive play and rebounding skills as he helped the team earn a playoff berth and two Northern Athletic League wins. The Miners were winless in the NAL the previous two seasons. To get ready for the rigors of college basketball, Robison has joined an AAU team, the Saint's, a team based in Santa Clara in the Bay Area. Recently, he took part in a tournament in San Francisco and will travel with the squad as they play in tournaments throughout the country this month and throughout the summer. Locations include Dallas, Las Vegas and Chicago. The six-foot- three-inch Robison played forward in high school but will switch to guard in college. He said that AAU basketball has helped him adjust to playing guard and working on becoming a better shooter.

"It's been extremely valuable and is getting me ready for college," he said. Robison said that the Saints coaching staff pushes the team and said he believes that his game has thrived by playing AAU ball. "They have pushed us to fulfill our full potential," he said.

Todd Robison, who is from Dorris and graduated from Butte Valley High School, said he wanted to retire in Yreka and for Travis to be near his family. Todd's sister Jackie Girdner is co-owner of Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka while Todd's parents live in Weed.

Due to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rules, Travis Robison could not play for Yreka until January. The season began in November.

Robison said he trained in preparation of joining the Miners and said his new teammates were welcoming and supportive, which helped make the transition a fairly smooth one.

Page 2 of 2 - Robison said he enjoyed his time playing for Yreka High and all the support he received from his teammates, the coaching staff and the community.

While it was an adjustment at first to move away from where he was born and raised, he knew the area fairly well when visiting family while growing up and said his senior year has been a positive experience in Yreka.

"Everyone has been great to me here" he said.

While Robison looked at a few other schools, he said he loved Simpson and was impressed with the team and coaching staff. He also liked that it was a Christian university and said that it is a great fit for him And, knowing his family does not have to travel far to watch him play was also a nice benefit in choosing to play at Simpson, Robison said.

Robison thanked his dad for all his support and helping him achieve his goal of playing college basketball.

"He's guided me through everything," Travis said.

Todd Robison commended his son for his integrity both on and off the court and the effort he has made to achieve his basketball goals. This includes going to the Siskiyou Family YMCA more than once a day and work on his hoops skills, from shooting to dribbling the ball.

Robison plans to pursue a Liberal Arts major at Simpson and upon completion hopes to earn his credentials in Respiratory Therapy.